Agenda item

To consider the report on the 2010/11 Winter Service Plan which will be presented to Cabinet for approval in October 2010.

Michael McNicholas, Client and Performance Manager, presented the report on the Winter Service Plan. Further to the circulation of the report, feedback had been received from a number of Councillors and it was proposed that, where this feedback was agreed by officers, the changes requested would be reflected in the updated Plan. Mr McNicholas circulated a list of proposed changes as a result of feedback to Committee Members.

Mr McNicholas advised the Committee that residents were not currently encouraged by the Council to clear snow or ice from pavements themselves, but that this guidance may change as a result of the anticipated ‘Snow Code’  document from the Department for Transport. It was intended to recommend to the Cabinet that the advice to residents could be reviewed under delegated powers, in light of the publication of the Snow Code and legal advice.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr McNicholas confirmed that the minimum tonnages of grit set out in the report would ensure that stocks were not permitted to run low and assured the Committee that the Council’s supplies were sufficient. The Committee questioned the categorisation of Alroy Road, N4 as priority 3, when this was a continuation of Wightman Road, which was priority 1 at this location. Mr McNicholas agreed that the categorisation of Alroy Road should be changed to priority 1, and this would be amended in the Plan. Mr McNicholas confirmed that, subject to agreement by the Cabinet, new grit bins should be installed by no later than mid November. It was agreed that the location of all grit bins in the borough would be published on the Council’s website for information.

In relation to two grit bin locations requested for Stroud Green which had been rejected on the grounds that the roads concerned were flat, the Committee advised officers that these streets were shady and so took longer to thaw than other streets. Mr McNicholas agreed that, in light of this consideration, officers would reassess these streets under frost, snow and ice conditions and if necessary would recommend for grit bins to be installed at these locations. It was also agreed that officers would review the need for a grit bin at Crouch Hall Road, as this was a steep street and was the access route for delivery vehicles to the food shops in the area. Mr McNicholas agreed that priority of the roads around Braemar Road would also be reviewed, in response to feedback from the Committee.

The Committee requested that it be made explicit in the Plan that grit bins were for communal use, and could be used by local residents. It was also requested that the detailed ward by ward information in the report, and the grit bin locations, be circulated to all Councillors for information.

The Committee clarified that the Plan was draft, subject to Cabinet approval, but that information within the report could be promoted provided that it was made clear the information was still in draft form. The Committee commented that, in considering the capital cost of new grit bins, the potential benefits in relation to enabling residents to get to work and reducing the risk of injuries should be taken into account by the Cabinet.

The Committee thanked officers for an excellent and very welcome report.

RESOLVED

i)                    That the revisions to the Winter Service Operational Plan 2010/11 be noted, including the policies that determine when gritting will be undertaken and the prioritisation of locations for gritting activity.

ii)                  That the proposed extension to the grit bin network to include 44 new sites at a cost of £15,000 be noted.

iii)                That the proposed minimum grit stock levels be noted.

iv)                That the proposal for an annual review of the Winter Service Plan be noted.

v)                  That the Committee recommend that the location of all grit bins in the borough be publicised on the Council’s website.

vi)                That the Committee recommend that it be made explicit in the Winter Service Plan that grit bins are for communal use.